Sourav Ganguly questions Ajinkya Rahane's selection as vice-captain for India vs West Indies Test series

Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly expressed his bewilderment at Ajinkya Rahane being appointed as the Test vice-captain despite spending nearly 18 months on the sidelines. Ganguly emphasized the need for consistency and continuity in the selection process.

Ajinkya Rahane, 35, had fallen out of favor for an extended period but showcased his batting prowess in the World Test Championship final against Australia, delivering impressive scores of 89 and 46 at the Oval earlier in June.

Shortly after his comeback and with just one Test under his belt, the national selection committee, led by interim chief Shiv Sunder Das, reinstated Rahane as the deputy to Rohit Sharma for the West Indies Test series.

Ganguly, in an exclusive interaction with PTI from London, expressed his view on grooming someone like Shubman Gill for the role. He stated, "Yeah, I think so."

Ganguly questioned the selectors' decision, stating, "I won't say it's a step backward. You have been out for 18 months, then you play a Test and you become a vice-captain. I don't understand the thought process behind it. There is Ravindra Jadeja, who has been there for a long time and a certainty in Test matches, he is a candidate. But to just come back and straightway become vice-captain after 18 months, I don't understand. My only thing is that the selection shouldn't be hot and cold. There has to be continuity and consistency in selection."

Ganguly, one of India's finest Test captains, also highlighted the importance of clear communication with players, particularly in the case of Cheteshwar Pujara, a seasoned Test player who was excluded from the team during the transition phase.

He emphasized the need for selectors to have a clear plan for players like Pujara, communicating whether they still consider him for Test cricket or intend to focus on nurturing young talents. Ganguly stressed that players like Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane shouldn't be subjected to being dropped and picked inconsistently.

"Selectors should have a clear idea about him (Pujara). Do they need him to play Test cricket anymore or do they want to continue with youngsters and communicate it to him. Somebody like Pujara can't be dropped, then picked, dropped again and then picked. Same with Ajinkya Rahane also," remarked Ganguly.

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